Optimum Care acquired by Four Seasons

Private equity-backed Four Seasons Health Care has acquired Northampton-headquartered Optimum Care, which operates 17 care home across the UK. The homes operate under the Avery brand name.

This is the first significant strategic addition to Four Seasons since it came under the ownership, last year, of private equity firm Terra Firma.

Optimum, based in Grange Park in Northampton, had a pre-tax profit in the year to 31 May 2012 of more than £600,000 on sales of £24.1m.

“This is an exciting time for Optimum,” managing director John Strowbridge said.

“Over the past six years it has developed from one trading unit to a portfolio of premium care homes providing high-quality care for the rapidly increasing elderly population. The business is now well placed to build on that success with the backing of Four Seasons and Terra Firma.”

Guy Hands, chairman and chief investment officer of Terra Firma, added: “Terra Firma is committed to ensuring that Four Seasons delivers the highest standards of care. We welcome the Optimum homes into the Four Seasons family and look forward to them becoming an integral part of Four Seasons.”

Optimum, was created in June 2007. Its 17 homes have a total of 1,213 beds and employ about 1,100 staff.

Four Season said the transaction is not expected to result in any noticeable change to the day-to-day operations of the homes, or for their residents or staff and there will be no impact on the quality of care provision.